Trades:
1. Kerfoot for Dvorak (1 mil retained).
Reason: Dvorak does more and has familiarity playing with Mitch and they were an absolute force together in the O. Dvorak has a higher cap hit and is due to make more money than his AAV, meanwhile Kerfoot has a lower cap hit and is due almost half the amount of money after bonuses being paid out this summer. I think this trade is attractive as Arizona can retain $1 mil on the cap to lower the AAV for Dvorak to match Kerfoot and in return, they get a player who is getting significantly less money with a similar term while maintaining the cumulative AAV of around 4.5.
2. Holl to Seattle.
Reason: Expansion draft casualty. I think we end up protecting 7 forwards and 3 D and that will leave Holl exposed. It'll allow us to keep Adam Brooks however and I think he'll be a very worthy bottom 6 guy for us going forward.
UFA signings:
Blake Coleman: I think he does everything Hyman does to a lesser tenacity but unlike Hyman, Coleman has hands and skills to finish if he gets top 6 minutes. I think he would have a bigger net impact and he's slightly younger than Hyman and will command arguably less money. The downside is, he's not as good as Hyman when it comes to the defensive side of things like on the PK etc. He has been a great player even when playing for the Devils and I've always liked him.
Mikael Granlund: Another guy, smaller but skilled veteran that Dubas has been linked to for a very long time. I think he makes sense because provides that top 6 with a stable veteran presence and he is a fantastic playmaker on a line with 2 shooters/ 2 way forwards. Give us a good balance of skill in the top 6. He's also relatively reliable defensively.
Nick Bjugstad: Big body, good player, can be a major factor when going but I think he provides a decent amount of skill, grit, physicality to a 3rd line and he can move up or down the lineup adequately. I don't think he's going to cost an arm and a leg either to sign and given the opportunities to play with our big guns to push for a final big contract in his career, I think he might find the opportunity enticing.
Tyler Bozak: We all know Bozie. He's a good pro, very good on the dot, reliable 2-way guy and has championship experience. We know he's done fantastic in this market during arguably the leanest years in recent memory and I think he would be a great fit for the 4th line and provide extra offense and defensive depth. Capable of moving up and down the lineup as well. Isn't completely washed up yet so that's a big plus.
Jason Spezza: 'Nuff said.
Jonathan Bernier: Same thing as Bozie. Old vet for us who has the experience and played tremendously last year for the Wings behind a team that was beyond atrocious at times. I think he's more than capable of sliding in and giving us good quality starts if need be. Otherwise, being a high pick and not having a super star career, I think him and Jack have a lot of similarities and can probably form a good working relationship.
Prospects:
Nick Robertson: I think we give Robertson a full-time go at the 3rd line. Ease him in and let him play with Dvorak who has enough skill to help push the play and if we decide to balance out the lineups and put Mitch down there once in a while, that line could be very dangerous.
Timothy Liljegren: He's shown that he's ready for the challenge. Yes, he's had tough moments in the show but he's too good for the AHL and at some point, he needs to be thrown into the fire and allowed to adjust and mold his game to the NHL style. Being on a 3rd pair we can shelter him a little bit and let him grow into his role.
